By Jeremy Duda | Axios
The big picture: A recent Pew Research Center analysis shows that as of February, Arizona had more data centers operational or planned than most other states.
By the numbers: Arizona has 98 data centers currently operating — placing it in the top 10 states, per Pew — and 86 planned or under construction, trailing only Virginia, Texas, Illinois and Georgia.
The intrigue: Data centers have become controversial, largely over concerns about energy and water use, and there’s growing backlash nationally and in Arizona.
- Opponents unsuccessfully fought the Project Blue data center outside Tucson and a proposed facility in Marana.
- Meanwhile, opponents derailed a proposed rezoning for a new data center in Chandler backed by former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.
- Gov. Katie Hobbs proposed eliminating a tax subsidy for large data centers, though she’s faced pushback from GOP lawmakers.
State of play: A report by the real estate and investment management company JLL cited Phoenix as the No. 2 market for planned data centers in mid-2025.
